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The Believer's Authority

Dec. 25, 2017
| By
Creflo Dollar

Closing out one year and looking ahead to the next can make some of us wonder what the future holds. It’s unpredictable and can bring surprises both good and bad but, with Christ in our lives, we have nothing to fear. We have no way of knowing what will happen tomorrow, but we’re secure in the knowledge that regardless of what threatens us, believers have the authority to overcome it.

We see turmoil and conflict all around us, and trouble is breaking out globally, nationally, and even locally. We turn on the news and see grim reports of saber-rattling, nuclear bomb developments, and unstable national rulers. Jesus predicted this would happen, and He was right. “And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately.Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come…Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!” (Mark 13:7, 8, 23, NLT).

However, this can’t touch us, because we have authority over the enemy who orchestrated it. No matter what it looks like, feels like, or seems like, the authority Jesus gave believers is real and more powerful than the evil in the world. “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19). The forces that can bring others down are powerless against God’s people.

God’s supernatural protection shields us from harm. We trust Him to keep us safe, and He’ll do so. Many people unaware of God’s promises of protection may be afraid to even go outside, but that’s simply living under a curse. For believers, the curse has lost its power. “A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you…Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:7, 9-11, NKJV).

No dangers on any level can harm us, spiritual or natural. When Jesus was on a boat with His disciples and a storm threatened to sink it, He took authority over the storm by speaking to it, and then chastised His frightened followers for their lack of faith. “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:39, 40). We have the same authority as Jesus.

The next time someone comments negatively about the strife in the world being “a sign of the times,” we need to remember that we have the power to live in safety and security. When others ask how we can be so calm, our one-word answer is “Jesus.” For believers, the future is bright and encouraging.